The Ultimate Patio Furniture Buyer's Guide

100% Solution Dyed Acrylic

The material of the cushion or sling is critical to the longevity of the patio furniture. The strongest fabric material is 100% Solution Dyed Acrylic. The yarn is completely dyed throughout. It is fade resistant, mildew-resistant and water resistant. The more well-known brands are Sunbrella, Outdura and _____. Acrylic will last 5 to 10 years in an uncovered application. Most have a warranty for 5 years. In a covered application, the cushions will most likely not have to be replaced.

These brands also do make blends. So, check the tag or fabric swatch to make sure it is 100% Solution Dyed Acrylic if that is important to you. This material should be purchased for uncovered applications. Otherwise, the fabric will fade quick in Oklahoma and Arkansas sun.

Polyester

The most basic material is Polyester. Car fabrics are made of Polyester. This material will last the shortest amount of time, 1 to 3 years depending on application. This will be the least expensive patio that can be purchased. Better alternatives may be buying cushionless seating like Wrought Iron or Polymer.

The cushion itself is also very important to the comfort and durability of the patio furniture. There are 2 main types of cushion materials – cushion, Sling and reticulated foam.

In deep seating, cushion can come in 3” thick cushions to 10” thick cushions. Thicker cushions are plusher and generally more comfortable. Higher-end cushions are wrapped in water vapor barriers to protect the Dacron or foam from getting wet. In addition, certain manufacturers add drain holes so the cushion can dry quicker. For durability, higher-end companies use HR foam like mattresses to prevent the cushions from sagging over time. Some companies add vertical slats so the cushions dry in half of the time of regular cushions, which is usually 24 to 48 hours.

Olefin

The 2^nd best material is Olefin or Olefin / PVC. It is rated to also be fade-resistant, mildew-resistant and water resistant. Its rating is about half as much as 100% Solution Dyed Acrylic. This material would be decent for covered areas or shaded applications. The cushions or slings will have to replaced in 2 to 5 years. Mass merchants and online stores carry Olefin since it makes the patio more affordable.

Sling

Sling is a single or double layer PVC. It quickly dries and is easy to clean with a hose. Sling is very popular for Chaise Loungers and dining. Lounging sling is popular for lake homes or those who want maintenance-free. Sling can be made of 100% Solution Dyed Acrylic or Olefin.

Reticulated Foam

The most recent innovation is reticulated foam. It provides the comfort of cushion, and the benefits of Sling. It’s easy to wash off. Reticulated foam is mostly seen in Woven furniture. Reticulated foam is now popular for uncovered areas, lake homes and rental properties.

The last key component of quality patio furniture is the construction of the frame. It can either be ready to assemble or welded. Ready to assemble means that it is assembled at your home. Welded means that it comes pre-assembled at the factory. Welded furniture can hold much more weight and will last much longer. Welded furniture will have frame warranties from 7 years to 20 years. Ready to assemble furniture will be less expensive. It will not hold as much weight and is more susceptible to breaks.

The other important aspect of construction is the rocking mechanism if a swivel-rocker is important to you. There are fiber-glass plate construction and C spring construction. Fiber-glass plates are common. However, not all fiber-glass plate constructions are created equally. Make sure to test it by sitting in it. The most durable rocker merchandise is C spring construction. It is a piece of aluminum in the shape of a C to create the rocking mechanism. This mechanism is strong enough for football players.

The last component of construction is the quality of the finish of the furniture. In steel or aluminum, the patio furniture can be painted or powder-coated. Powder-coating is the most durable type of finish, preventing rust, oxidation, chipping or peeling. Powder-coat finishes will last between 3 years to 7 years. The quality of powder-coats does vary. Also, patio furniture now has hand-rubbed finishes to give it an old world look or wood grain look. That finish can rub off. High-end patio manufacturers put an additional clear-coat to protect or bake into the powder-coat finish.

On polymer furniture, the plastic can be sourced from many different grades. Tenjin plastic is known as the highest quality, and the most expensive like Composite decking. Lesser expensive Polymer also has rougher finishes and skinner boards. There are also lots of exposed screws.

Teak furniture is imported from Southeast Asia. There are generally different grades of Teak: A, B or C. The grade will make it difference in terms of durability and strength, and the richness of the wood.